New Mexico’s dry heat can be tough, but some perennials thrive where others struggle. I’ve planted a few that soak up the sun and breeze without missing a beat—and keep coming back year after year.
These drought-tolerant gems make watering worries a thing of the past. If you want a garden that stands strong in the desert sun, these perennials are the way to go.
Let’s explore the best picks for a resilient New Mexico yard!
1. Lavender
The signature fragrance makes this Mediterranean native a must-have for New Mexico gardens. Its silvery foliage and purple blooms attract beneficial pollinators throughout summer.
Hardy in our state’s challenging conditions, lavender requires minimal water once established. Just provide well-draining soil and plenty of sunshine for years of aromatic beauty.
2. Russian Sage
Airy and ethereal, this perennial creates clouds of lavender-blue flowers that dance above silvery foliage. Deer and rabbits avoid it, making it perfect for New Mexico’s wildlife-rich areas.
Surviving on minimal moisture, Russian sage handles our state’s temperature extremes with grace. The aromatic leaves add a pleasant scent when brushed against in the garden.
3. Agave
Bold architectural forms make agaves dramatic focal points in desert-inspired gardens. Their thick, fleshy leaves store water efficiently, allowing them to thrive in New Mexico’s harshest conditions.
Many varieties offer unique colors and patterns, from blue-green to variegated. Throughout our state, these low-maintenance plants create striking silhouettes against gravel or alongside native stone.
4. Yucca
As New Mexico’s state flower, yucca plants are perfectly adapted to our challenging climate. Their sword-like leaves create strong vertical elements in the landscape, while dramatic flower stalks appear in summer.
Requiring almost no supplemental water once established, these native plants support local ecosystems. Their white bell-shaped blooms attract specialized moths for pollination under our starry desert skies.
5. Penstemon
Brilliant tubular flowers in shades from scarlet to purple attract hummingbirds throughout New Mexico gardens. These native beauties bloom profusely in spring and early summer, creating stunning displays against their green foliage.
Thriving in our state’s rocky, well-drained soils, penstemons need minimal care once established. Different varieties offer options for various garden spots, from sunny borders to partially shaded areas.
6. Autumn Joy Sedum
Changing colors mark the seasons with this versatile perennial. Starting with green broccoli-like buds that transform to pink and finally rusty-red in fall, it provides long-lasting interest in New Mexico landscapes.
Succulent leaves store moisture efficiently, making it incredibly drought-tolerant in our state’s dry conditions. The flat flower clusters also attract butterflies and beneficial insects, supporting garden biodiversity.
7. Yarrow
Feathery foliage and flat-topped flower clusters give yarrow a delicate appearance that belies its incredible toughness. Available in colors from classic white to vibrant yellow and red, it brightens New Mexico gardens for months.
Native to our state’s harsh conditions, yarrow grows happily in poor soil where other plants struggle. Its drought tolerance is legendary, making it perfect for water-wise gardens throughout the region.
8. Gaillardia
Cheerful daisy-like flowers in fiery sunset colors bloom from spring through fall in New Mexico gardens. Also called blanket flower, this native perennial thrives in our state’s challenging conditions with minimal fuss.
Resilient through heat, drought, and poor soil, gaillardia keeps flowering when other plants have given up. The bright blooms attract butterflies and provide season-long color even in the hottest parts of our southwestern state.
9. Desert Marigold
Sunny yellow blooms hover above silvery foliage, creating bright spots in New Mexico xeriscape gardens. This native wildflower reseeds readily, forming naturalized drifts that need no additional water once established.
Thriving in our state’s hottest, driest locations, desert marigold blooms from spring through fall after rain showers. The cheerful flowers stand out beautifully against decorative gravel or alongside native boulders.
10. Red Hot Poker
Torch-like flower spikes in fiery orange and yellow create dramatic vertical accents in New Mexico gardens. Hummingbirds flock to these unusual blooms that appear from late spring through summer above grassy foliage.
Surprisingly drought-tolerant once established, these South African natives adapt well to our state’s climate. Their architectural form makes them excellent companions for native grasses and round-form succulents in water-wise landscapes.
11. Gaura
Delicate butterfly-like flowers dance on wiry stems, creating movement and lightness in New Mexico gardens. The airy texture contrasts beautifully with more structured drought-tolerant plants like agave and yucca.
Native to our southwestern region, gaura thrives in poor soil and intense heat. The long blooming season provides months of interest, with white or pink flowers hovering like butterflies above the foliage.
12. Globe Mallow
Cup-shaped orange blooms cover these native plants from spring through summer in New Mexico gardens. The soft gray-green foliage adds textural interest even when the plant isn’t flowering.
Perfectly adapted to our state’s harsh conditions, globe mallow thrives in rocky, poor soil with minimal water. Hummingbirds and native bees visit the bright flowers, supporting local wildlife in water-conscious landscapes.
13. Mexican Feather Grass
Silky golden seedheads wave gracefully in New Mexico’s frequent breezes, creating living motion in the garden. This fine-textured grass adds a soft, dreamy quality to water-wise landscapes throughout our state.
Requiring almost no supplemental water once established, Mexican feather grass thrives in full sun and poor soil. The fountain-like form complements both flowering perennials and architectural succulents in drought-tolerant designs.
14. Butterfly Weed
Vibrant orange flower clusters attract monarchs and other butterflies to New Mexico gardens throughout summer. This native milkweed serves as both nectar source and caterpillar host plant, supporting important pollinators.
Deep taproots make butterfly weed incredibly drought-resistant once established in our state’s challenging conditions. The bright blooms create focal points in water-wise gardens while helping conservation efforts for declining butterfly populations.
15. Santolina
Aromatic silver foliage forms neat mounds that provide year-round structure in New Mexico gardens. Yellow button-like flowers appear in summer, adding bright accents against the silvery leaves.
Extremely drought-tolerant, santolina thrives in our state’s poor soil and intense sunshine. Its strong scent naturally repels deer and rabbits, making it practical for unprotected areas throughout the region.
16. Chocolate Flower
Yellow daisy-like blooms emit a distinct cocoa scent in the morning, creating a sensory delight in New Mexico gardens. Native to our southwestern region, this perennial thrives in challenging conditions where many plants struggle.
Requiring minimal water once established, chocolate flower forms tidy mounds of green foliage. The fragrant blooms appear from spring through fall, attracting beneficial insects to water-wise landscapes throughout our state.